Pouring carton



E C. MEEK rounxue CARTON June 13, 1939,.

Filed Jan. 27, 1 958 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 2 c c c 5 INVENTOR ills/(Ire 6Med ATTORNEY June 13, 1939. E. C. MEEK POURING CARTON Filed Jan. 27,1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fills/av! l. Mae/L mm MM ATTORNEYPatented June 13, 1939 POURING CARTON Eustace C. Meek, Upper Montclair,N. 1., assignor Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company,

Jersey City, N. 1., a corporation of Delaware Application January 27,1938, Serial No. 187,134

10Claims.

This invention relates to pouring cartons and more particularly to anattractive and convenient carton within which granular contents'may bepacked and shipped. and which is provided with means'whereby aconvenient pouring spout or opening may be formed in the carton by theconsumer .through which the desired quantity of contents may beconveniently elected as needed.

An. object of this invention is to provide a pouring carton for granularmaterials, such as soap flakes and soap granules, which is inexpensiveto pack andassemble, and which is provided with means to permit theconsumer to eject desired limited quantities of the contents of thecarton in a convenient manner without lacerating or otherwise damagingthe carton. My improved carton possesses inherent advantages overpouring cartons heretofore provided, whereby 20 economies inmanufacture, packaging and assembly may be effected, and which isfurther? more provided with a convenient, easily openable means topermit the pouring of the desired contents from the carton by a slightpressure applied to an indicated limited area thereof.

In accordance with this invention, my improved carton comprises an innershell or box member which can be made from a one-piece rectangular blankof paperboard material. The 30 box member is enclosed within a sealedwrapper so arranged and folded as to prevent leakage of the granularcontents of the container. The body-forming blanks may be cut and scoredautomatically from large sheets or rolls of paperboard material, eachlilank being adapted for automatic assembly into a box having arectangular cross-section and comprising two relatively broad side wallpanels and two relatively narrow side wall panels. Closure flaps areprovided at 40 each end of the broad and narrow side wall panels toclose the ends of the carton. The flaps extending from the relativelybroad side walls may be substantially equal in area to the end area ofthe carton.

A pouring spout is formed in the end closure flaps by providingpreferably a rectangularshaped punch-in portion in the end flapextending from one of the relatively narrow side wall panels, andpreferably a rectangular-shaped punch-in portion of slightly smallerarea than the punch-in portion first-named in the end closure flapextending from one of the relatively broader side wall panels foldedtodirectly overlie the end closure flaps first named. The closure flapextending from the other relatively broad side wall panel is providedwith preferably a circular-shaped punch-in portion of slightly lessdiameter than eitherdimension of the rectangular punch-in portion in theclosure flap which it overlies, the circular punch-in portion 5 definingthe pouring area of the pouring spout. The rectangular punch-in portionon the narrow flap is defined from the surrounding paperboard materialby spaced cuts on three sides, and the fourth side of this punch-inportion is 1 provided with a line of perforations or a crease line topermit inward swinging movement of the rectangular punch-in portion withrespect to the flap. This hinge line extends inwardly of the narrow sidewall panel to which the flap is 15 hinged, and is so constructed as notto interfere with the application of thcautomatic tumlng-in deviceswhich turn the relatively narrow end flaps inwardly to form the endclosure of the body member.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved pouring cartonhaving a punch-in area which is so constructed as not to interfere withthe movement or operation of automatic box-expanding and flap turning-indevices associated with the box assembling machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pouring carton having apunch-in portion which remains hinged to the end closure when punched into provide an opening for pouring purposes, which cannot float about inthe contents but serves to provide a guide whereby uniform outpouring ofthe granular material from the carton is effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pouring cartoncomprising a box member and an uncut wrapper enclosing the box member,so assembled as to provide a siftproof structure from which the granularmaterial contained therein cannot sift out.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved pouringcarton which may be rapidly and economically formed, assembled, packedand wrapped with a sealing wrapper entirely by automatic machinery at ahigh production rate, providing a highly satisfactory and attractivepackage for granular materials, salable at relatively low cost.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosureproceeds.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following particular description and from an inspection of theaccompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of an extended paperboard blank which has beensuitably cut and scored to form the box member of my improved pouringcarton;

Fig. 2 is an outside face view of a wrapper sheet in which the boxmember packed with granular material is enclosed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the box membershowing the end wall flaps in the process of being folded into end-'closing position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one end of the fully assembled boxmember;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled box member with thewrapper sheet partially applied thereto;

Fig. 6- is a perspective view of one end of the box member with the endportions of the wrapper shown in the process of being folded over theend closure;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the fully assembled pouring cartonshowing the wrapper fully assembled and applied to the box member;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through a portion of the packed carton, thisView being taken on line .8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the assembledcarton, this view being taken along line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembled cartonshowing the pouring spout formed by pushing in a portion of the wrapperand the punch-in portions of the end closure flaps;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the assembled cartonwith a pouring spout formed therein, showing the manner in which thegranular contents can be smoothly poured in a uniform flow through thespout opening therein, this view being taken along line II-II of Fig.10; and

Fig. 12 is aface view of an extended paperboard blank for forming apouring carton of somewhat modified form as relates to the formation ofa pouring spout in one end of the carton.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings and the specification.

My improved pouring carton comprises essentially a box member which-maybe formed from a single blank of suitable paperboard material, as shownin Fig. 1, and a wrapper which surrounds and encloses the box member,the wrapper being formed of a paper sheet of the requisite strength andtoughness applied to the exterior of the box member in a particularmanner. The blank which forms the box member, as shown more particularlyin Fig. 1, comprises a pair of oppositely spaced, relatively broad sidewall panels I and 2, and a pair of intermediate oppositely spacedrelatively narrow side wall panels 3 and 4. Narrow side panel 3 ishinged to the adjacent relatively wide panels I and 2 along the foldlines 5, and panel I is hinged to panel 4 along a similar longitudinallyextending score line 5. A securing tab I; hinged to the panel 2 alongthe score edge of panel 4 to provide a generally tubular box structureof rectangular cross-section.

The ends of the box member may be closed and sealed by end wall flapshinged to the ends of the side wall panels I, 2, 3 and 4. Side wallpanel 4 may have an inturned tuck-in flap II at each end thereof, eachhinged thereto along the score line I0. Flaps II are of generallyrectangular form and extend substantially the width of the panel 4.Similarly, the panel 3 may be provided with a tuck-in flap I2 extendingfrom each end thereof and each hinged thereto along the score line I0,flaps I2 being approximately the width of the panel 3. The relativelywide side Wall Panel I is provided with closure flaps I3 extending fromeach end thereof, each hinged thereto along the score line Ill, closureflaps I3 being substantially the Width of the panel I. Likewise, therelatively wide panel 2 is provided with a closure flap I4 extendingfrom each end thereof, each hinged thereto along the score line I0, thewidth of the closure flaps I4 being substantially the width of the panel2. Thus, it is seen that the box member is formed of a paperboard blankof substantially rectangular shape except for the slightly projectingsecuring tab 6. Thus, little or no waste results in cutting the blank.The

tuck-in flaps II and I2 at each end of the relaarated from the closureflaps I 4 and I3 respectively, by cut lines I5 which, in effect, are acontinuation ofthe fold lines 5, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

An important feature of this invention comprises the weakening of adefined area of one or both tuck-in flaps II and one or both tuck-inflaps I2 and closure flaps I3 and III to provide one or more punch-inportions which when punched in leave an opening which forms a pouringopening or spout for the completed carton. These punch-in portions havea particular shape and contour and are so made as to facilitate theassembly of the box member and the proper application of the surroundingwrapper, so as to effect proper registry of the parts thereof. Eachpunch-in portion is also so made that the punch ing-in operation can beeasily and quickly eflected in a positive manner and without leaving anyed edges.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, one of the flaps I2 isprovided with a punch-in portion a of generally square or rectangularcon figuration. The punch-in portion a is defined on one side by a foldline a spaced inwardly from and extending generally parallel to the foldline II) which defines the outer hinged edge of the tuck-in flap I2. Theother sides of the punch-in portion a is defined by a line of weaknesswhich preferably includes a pair of spaced parallel extending cuts aextending from the fold line 0. out toward the free edge of the tuck-inflap I2. The fourth side of the punch-in portion a is defined by eithera line of perforations or one or more cut lines a spaced from each outline a by an uncut portion a. where two out lines a are employed, theymay be separated by an uncut portion a. When apredetermined amount ofpressure is applied to the punch-in portion a the portion a and a willbreak, permitting the punch-in portion a to hinge inwardly along thefold line a .The adjacent closure flap II is arranged to immediatelyoverlie the tuck-in flaps l2 and is also provided with a square orrectangular punch-in portion b arranged to overlie the punch-in portiona, the punch-in portion b being of slightly less area than the punch-inportion a. The punch-in portion b is defined by a line. of weaknesspreferably including four out lines b the adjacent'ends of the cut linesb being separated by an uncut portion b", which is subject to breakagewhen a predetermined pressure is applied against the punch-in portion b.

Finally, the closure flap which is superimposed over the closure flapI3, is provided with a relatively circular-shaped punch-in portion opositioned over the punch-in portion b and whose diametrical extent isslightly less than the length and width of underlying punch-in portionb. The punch-in portion c may be defined by a line of weakness includingfour arouate-shaped cuts 0 separated by an uncut portion 0''. The uncutportions 0 are so arranged as to be generally out of alignment with theuncut portions b of the underlying punch-in portion b.

Normally only one punch-in area comprising the punch-in portion a andthe superimposed punch-in portions 1; and c, is required to provide therequisite pouring spout in the carton. Since this punch-in area is laterto be covered by the wrapper sheet shown in Fig. 2 and thus concealedfrom view, it may in certain instances be desirable to provide twopunch-in areas at each end of the carton all equally and similarlyspaced from the adjacent side wall panel 3 or 4, as the case may be. Aswill hereinafter be more fully explained, there will thus be provided apunch-in area in the box member at the point where the,

punch-in designation 36 appears on the wrapper, irrespective of how thewrapper is applied to the box member. Since the punch-in area isrelatively small, no material weakening of the box member or cartonresults in providing such a punch-in area at the same relative positionin all four corners of the box member. Thus, a punch-in portion a,shaped and defined in the manner previously described, may be providedin both tuck-in flaps l2 and also in the tuck-in flaps ll, asshown inFig. 1., Likewise, a punch -in portion b, shaped and defined as abovedescribed, may be provided at both ends of both end closure flaps. l3,Likewise, a circularshaped punch-in portion 0 defined as. above (16-.-scribed may be provided at both ends of both end closure flaps 14, asillustrated in Fig. 1.

In assembling the box member from. the blank shown in Fig. 1, a stripofadhesive is applied to the securing tab 6 and this tab is then broughtinto overlapping relationship with respect to the relatively narrow sidewall panel 4, forming a tubular structure. This operation may beautomatically performed by swinging the panel 2 over the panels 3 and Ialong the fold line 5 and likewise swinging the panel 4 over the panel 2so as to overlap the, glued securing tab 6. The panel 4 and the securingtab 6 are then pressed into adhesive contact; @The collapsed structureas thus made. is expanded into tubular form, which serts itself betweenthe overlying end closure flaps l3 and I4 adjacent the tuck-in flap H orII at one end of the carton. In. order that this insertion tool will notdamage'or be obstructed in its movement by the punch-in portion a,.it ispreferable .to provide an uncut portion a be- ,tween the cuts a so thatthe end of the tool may freely slide inwardly across the inside face ofthe adjacent tuck-in flap H or I! without striking or abutting the cutedges formed by the cuts a This precaution need be taken only if allfour corners of the box member are provided with punch-in portions.If'only one corner of the box member is provided with a punch-in area,the collapsed box structure-may be ex- 15 panded by inserting the toolat the opposite end form which the punch-in area appears, and thus therewould be no out edge in the adjacent tuckin flap to interfere with theexpansion tool. Where all four corners of the box are provided withpunch-in areas, however, it is generally preferable to make the cutsa-'*, over which the insertion tool must slide, discontinuous as byproviding the uncut portions a and a so that the cuts a will in no wayinterfere with the 25 closure I4 is folded over the end closure flap I3,35

adhesive having previously been applied thereto. The box member is thenready to receive the soap granules to be packaged therein.

When the soap granules have been inserted into the box member, the otherendof the carton is sealed by turning the tuck-in flaps H and I2inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, and then folding the end closure flap I3over the tuck-in flaps II and I2 and finally folding the end closureflap l4 over the end closure flap l3, glue or adhesive having previouslybeen applied to the tuck-in. flaps II and 12 and/or to the end closureflap l3 and/or to the end closure fiap l4. In closing the end walls ofthebox, it will be noted that the edge a of the punch-in portion a willnot interfere with the inward movement of the tuck-in tool t, since thedefining line a is merely a fold line or a line composed ofperforations, so that the side edge of the punch-in portion a is notseparated this line. This important feature permits quick from theassociated tuck-in flap II or l2 along 55 and rapid assembly of the boxmember without in any way interfering with the rapid automatic movementof the tuck-in tools t.

Ina box member of convenient size for the 6G packaging of soap granules,such as a box eight and one-half inches high running the length'of theside wall panel i or 2, approximately six inches inch along each side,the square superimposed 70 punch-in portion b approximately ths of an.inch along each side, and the circular punch-rin portion c approximatelyHths of an inch in diameter, the punch-in portions 0, b and 0 thusdecreasing in size from the inner surface to the outer surface of theend closure. The fold line a of the punch-in portion a in such a cartonmay be spaced approximately /]6thS of an inch from the fold line I0.When the punch-in area is pushed in, the punch-in portion a will hingeabout the hinge line a and the punch-in portion b adhesively secured tothe punch-in portion a and the punch-in portion 0 adhesively secured tothe punch-in portion 1) will swing in with the punchin portion a, asshown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The box member is enclosed within a suitable paper wrapper made from therectangular blank, as shown in Fig. 2, which blank need not be creasednor folded prior to its application to the box member. The wrapper isapplied on an automatic wrapping machine by folding the body section ofthe blank around the side wall panels I, 3, 2 and 4 of the box member,as illustrated in Fig. 5, so that the side wall section 2| of thewrapper will overlie the side wall panel 2 of the box member, the sidewall section 23 will overlie the side wall panel 4 of the box member,the side wall section 22 of the wrapper will overlie the side wall panelof the box member, and the side wall section 24 of the wrapper willoverlie the side wall panel 3 of the box member, which box panels andwrapper sections may or may not be secured together adhesively. Asecuring section 26 on the wrapper extends partially over the side wallpanel 3 of the box member and is arranged to underlie the side wallsection 24 of the wrapper, as will be evident by referring to Fig. 5.

The outwardly projecting ends of the wrapper are then folded inwardly asillustrated more particularly in Fig. 6. The narrow end sections 3| and32 at each end of the wrapper are first folded inwardly so as to overliethe adjacent ends of closure flap M of the box member and the adjacenttriangular fold portions 3| and 32' are folded over so as to overlie theinside face of adjacent end sections 33 and 34 of the wrapper. Previousto the application of the wrapper to the box member, suitable adhesivemay be applied to the narrow end sections 3| and 32 and to thetriangular sections 3 I and 32', so that these parts will become securedrespectively to the adjacent end wall flap I4 of the box and theadjacentend sections 33 and 34 of the wrapper. The end section 33 ateach end of the carton is then folded inwardly and adhesively secured tothe end wall fiap M of the box member and finally the end section 34 ateach end of the wrapper is folded over and adhesively secured to theadjacent end closure flap M, the end section 34 being of such extent asto partially overlap and also be adhesively secured to the extremity ofthe adjacent end section 33 of the wrapper, as shown more particularlyin Figs. '7 and 10.

It is important to here note that, when the triangular portions 3| and32' are folded inwardly against the inside face of the end sections 33and 34 and the end sections 33 and 34 are folded downwardly and securedin place, the ends 35 of the end sections 33 and 34 each extend along adiagonal line from the corners of the adjacent end wall of the carton,leaving exposed a triangular area of the narrow end wall sections 3| and32 of the wrapper. This triangular area is of suflicient extent to fullycover the underlying circular punch-in portion 0, as illustrated in Fig.10. This triangular area is marked by a circle. 36 defining an area 31which is positioned directly over the circular punch-in portion 0, thecircle 36 being positioned over the cuts 0 which define the punch-inarea 0, so that only one layer of paper overlies the punch-in areaprovided in the box member. The wrapper portion 31 within the imprintedcircle 36 may be further designated by having a printed designation pushin adjacent thereto, so that-the customer will know exactly Wherepressure is to be applied to effect opening of the carton. The wrapperthus does not materially interfere with the push-in operation to providethe pouring spout and, furthermore, is so marked and designated as topermit instant location of the weakened areas which, when pushed in,provide a pouring spout. The marked circle 36 on the wrapper may, ifdesired, comprise a line of perforations to permit easy separation ofthe area 31 within the marked circle 36 from the surrounding endsections 3| of the wrapper, but such line of perforations in the wrapperare generally not necessary. It will be further noted that the endsections 3| and 32, 33 and 34, are so folded that only a single layer ofthe wrapping sheet overlies the punch-in area and that the diagonallyextending edges 35 of the end sections 33 and 34 are spaced inwardlyfrom the punchin area so that these parts do not interfere with the easypouring of the contents from the carton.

When the user or customer desires to open the carton, an inspection ofthe ends of the carton will immediately reveal, by the notation push in,where the punch-in area lies. A slight pressure applied by the thumb orfinger against the area entitled push in will cause the area 3'! withinthe marked circle 36 to break away from the surrounding end section 3|of the Wrapper. This break will generally be cleanly defined and ofcircular form by reason of the sharp edge defined by the cuts 0 when thecircular punch-in area 0 lets loose through the breakage of the uncutparts The applied pressure breaks the uncut portions 0 of the circularpunchein portion 0, the uncut portions 1) of the square punch-in portion1), and the uncut por tions 11 and a of.the punch-in portion a, andsince the wrapper portion 31, and the punch-in portions a, b and c areall secured together by adhesive, theentire punch-in area will swinginwardly, hinging about the hinge line (1 as illustrated in Figs 10 and11. The punched-in portion a having attached thereto the portions 1) andwill swing inwardly into the position shown in Fig. 11, serve to guidethe outflow of the soap granules from the carton, so that smooth pouringis maintained. A pouring stream of generally circular cross-sectionresults from the fact that the outer punch-in portion 0 when puncheddefines a circular opening.

In the wrapping of the packed box member, 7

it is possible that on occasion the wrapper may be so applied that themarked line 36 defining the punch-in area on the wrapper is locatedagainst an end wall not intended to be pushed in. In such eventdifficulties may arise'if only one set of superimposed punch-in portions11, b and c are provided. To avoid such a possibility and to provide amistake-proof construction, it may be desirable to provide punch-inareas a in all of the flaps II and I2 with correspondng superimposedpunch-in areas I) in the flaps |3 and corresponding superimposedpunch-in areas 0 in the flaps I4. When so constructed, the wrappercannot be wrongly applied to the box member and a punch-in area directlybeneath the defining circle 36 in the wrapper is positively provided inall cases.

There is shown in Fig. '12 a paperboard blank for forming a box memberwhich is in all recorresponding enlarged punch-inportion e is.

provided in the adjacent end of the flap ii. In other words, one of theflaps II of the blank shown in Fig. 12 is provided with a circular In myimproved construction, however, it will be punch-in portion d in place01' the rectangular punch-in portion a provided in the bottomformingflap 12 shown in Fig. I, and also a circular punch-in portion e isprovided at one end of the bottom-forming flap I3 01' the blank shown inFig. 12, as a substitute for one oi the rectangular punch-in portions 1)formed in the bottom-forming fiap l3 or the blank shown in Fig. 1.Circular punch-in portions d and e in the flaps I2 and I3 respectivelyof the blank shown in Fig. 12 may in some instances be found desirablewhen the box-assembling machine is provided with atool element forexpanding the box into tubular form, which might tear or otherwise beobstructed by a rectangular punchin portion on the bottom flaps l2 andi3, as shown in Fig. 1. It has been found that where a circular punch-inportion d defined by spaced cuts d leaving uncut portions (1''therebetween is provided in fiap ii, there is no possible danger of theinsertion tool damaging or being obstructed in its movement by thepunch-in portion d. As shown in Fig. 12, only one of the flaps l2adjacent the end of the collapsed box into which the box expansion toolis inserted, is provided with a circular punch-in portion d. the otherfiap I 2 being provided with a rectangular punch-in portion aconstructed as previously described. l

The adjacent end of the bottom-forming flap l3, shown in Fig. 12, isalso provided with a circular punch-in portion e otslightly greaterdiameter than the underlying punch-in portion 1, the punch-in portion ebeing formed by a series of spaced cuts 8 having uncut portionstherebetween. Except for the circular punch-in portions d and e, theblank shown in Fig. 12 is in all respects similar to the blank showninFig. 1 and is assembled in the same manner as heretofore described inconnection with the assembly of the blank shown in Fig. l. The boxmember assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 12 is covered by a wrapperof the type shown in Fig. 2 in the same manner as heretofore describedin connection with the assembly of the carton from the box blank andwrapper shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. The blank shown in Fig. 12may be used where it is desired to provide punchin portions in bothopposite end walls of the box member and at both ends of each end wall.It will be understood that the circular punch-in portions d and e abovedescribed are presented to illustrate another means which may beemployed to avoid obstruction of the tool element of the box-assemblingmachine which is inserted between the overlying end closure flaps i3 andH and adjacent the tuck-in flap I! at one end of the, carton.

A carton constructed as above described is sift-proof and the granularmaterial packed therein cannot sift out of the assembly carton. Thisdesirable result is accomplished by forming the tuck-in flaps ii and I2the-full width of'the panels 3 and 4 to which they are connected andforming the end closure flaps II and M the full width of the side wallpanels I and 2 to which they are respectively attached, these partsbeing all secured together by adhesive. Theunbroken and uncut wrapperprovides a final seal for the carton, and when the end sections 3| and32 and the end sections 33 and 34 have been adhesively secured tothe'end wall fiaps l4, there is no possible way in which the granularmaterials can sift out from the carton. Sitting of the contents mostcommonly occurs at the corners of a box.

noted I that the wrapper is unbroken at the cornersof the carton and theends of the wrapper are so folded and secured as to prevent sifting ofthe contents from the carton.

My improved carton isso constructed as to permit rapid manufacture ofthe box member-forming blank, assembly of the box-forming blank into boxform, the packaging of the contents therein, the sealing of the boxmember, and the application 01' the wrapper thereto, entirely byautomatic machinery at a high production rate, providing an economicalpackage which can be sold at low cost. The box-forming blank, as

shown in Fig. 1, may be cut and scored on an automatic cutting andscoring machine and cut at a high rate of speed irom large sheets orrolls of paperboard material. The wrapper, as shown in Fig. 2. is 01'rectangular form and may be cut from large sheets or rolls of wrappingpaper which has been previouslylithographed and decorated, which cuttingoperation is all performed by automatic machinery. The punch-in portions0, b and c which are to define the pouring spout,

' are so arranged and constructed as not to interthere is no danger thatin the wrapping operation the marked circle 36 in the wrapper definingthe punch-in area has been misplaced or disarranged with respect to theunderlined punch-in portions 0,. b and a. The wrapper is furthermore soapplied that only one thickness of the wrapping sheet overlies thepunch-in portion c, so that very little force is required to break thewrapper around the designating circle 36. It has been further found,after considerable research and experiment, that a pushing in of themarked punch-in portion can be efiected with less force and less.difliculty if the punch-in portions a in the flaps II and I2 and thepunch-in portions b in the fiap I! are generally square in outline, thecircular punch-in portion 0 then defining the contour oi the pouringstream. It will be further noted that the punch-in portions b aresurrounded by cuts b except only at the unbroken corners b, which areeasily broken by slight inward pressure. Likewise, the punch-in portionais defined by cuts a and a separated only by the unbroken portions a anda which easily break upon the application of slight inward pressure. Dueto the fact that the portions 0, b and a, when pushed in are hingedalong the hinge line a this pushedin area does not float about in thecontents so as to interfere with the proper outpouring of the granularmaterial in the carton. These hinged portions a, b and c serve as a gateto guide the material in its outward flow and, ii necessary, slightfinger pressure may be applied to the punch-in portions c, b and a alsoserve as a partial closure for the carton, which assists in preventingunauthorized ejection of the material from the carton.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pouring carton for granular material including, a box member formedof paperboard material including, two relatively wide side wall panelsand two relatively narrow side wall panels positioned between said wideside wall panels, an end closure for saidbox member formed by a tuck-inflap hinged to and extending from each of said narrow side wall panels,and superimposed overlapping end closure flaps extending from said wideside wall panels, adhesive means for securing said flaps together, oneof said tuck-in flaps having a rectangular-shaped punch-in portionseverable from its fiap along three side edges and hinged to its flapalong the fourth side edge thereof, the superimposed end closure flaphaving a rectangular-shaped punch-in portion severable from its flapalong all side edges, and said end closurefiap superimposed over the endclosure fiap last named having a generally circular punch-in portionseverable from its flap along all side edges, said punch-in portionsbeing arranged in substantially aligned. relationship, said punch-inportions when pushed inwardly defining a generally circular pouringopening and a rectangular-shaped inclined guide element for guiding thegranular material thereover in a smooth flow through said pouringopening.

2. A pouring carton for granule-.1 material including, a box memberformed of paperboard material, said box member including two relativelywide side wall panels and a relatively narrow side wall panel positionedbetween said wide side wall panels, a tuck-in flap extending inwardlyfrom said narrow side wall panel, and end closure flaps extending fromsaid wide side wall panels arranged in overlapping relationship andsuper-imposed over said tuck-in flap, said tuckin flap having agenerally rectangular punch-in portion defined by severable lines ofweakness along three side edges and a hinge along the fourth side edgethereof, said end 010-- sure flap immediately superimposed thereoverhaving a punch-in portion of lesser area than the punch-in portion firstnamed. and defined by severable lines of weakness permitting saidsecond-named punch-in portion to be completely severed from its flap,and said endrclosure flap superimposed over the other flaps named havinga generally circular punch-in portion of less area than saidsecond-named punch-in portion defined by severable lines of weaknessseverable from its flap along all side edges, said punch-in portionsbeing arranged in substantially aligned relationship, said punch-inportions when pushed inwardly define a generally circular pouringopening and a rectangular-shaped inclined guide of greater area thansaid pouring opening operative to guide the granular material thereoverin a smooth flow to and through said pouring opening.

3. A pouring carton for granular material including, a box member formedof paperboard material, said box member'having two relatively wide sidewall panels and an intermediate relatively narrow side wall panel, atuck-in flap hinged to and extending inwardly from said narrow side wallpanel, said flap having a punch-in portion of generally rectangular formdefined by spaced out lines extending around three sides of saidportion, and a hinge line defining the other side of said portion, saidhinge line being nearest the hinged end of said tuck-in flap, an endclosure flap extending from one of said wide side wall panelssuperimposed over said tuck-in flap, said end closure flap having apunch-in portion of generally rectangular form and slightly less in areathan the punch-in portion first named, the punch-in portion in said endclosure flap being completely severable from its flap and defined alongits four sides by spaced cuts presenting unbroken-material at thecorners of said rectangular punch-in portion, and an end closure flapextending from said other wide side wall panel superimposed over the endclosure flap first named, said superimposed end closure flap having acircular-shaped punch-in portion completely severable from its flap anddefined by spaced cuts leaving unbroken portions therebetween, saidpunch-in portions being adhesively secured together so thatwhen pushedinwardly the two topmost punch-in portions will completely separate fromthe respective flaps with which they are associated and hinge togetherwith the lowermost punch-in portion about said hinge line.

4. A pouring carton for granular material including, a box member formedof paperboard material, said box member having two relatively wide sidewall panels and an intermediate relatively narrow side wall panel, atuck-in flap hinged to and extending inwardly from said narrow side wallpanel, said tuck-in flap having a punch-in portion defined by spaced outlines and a hinge line, said hinge line being nearest the hinged end ofsaid tuck-in flap, an end closure flap extending from one of said wideside wall panels superimposed over said tuck-in flap, said end closureflap having a punch-in portion of slightly less area than the punch-inportion first named, the punch-in portion of said end closure flap beingcompletely severable from its flap and defined by spaced cuts presentingunbroken material 'therebetween, an end closure flap extending from saidother wide side wall panel superimposed over the end closure flap firstnamed, the end closure flap extending from said other side wall panelhaving a punchin portion completely severable from its flap and definedby spaced cuts leaving unbroken portions therebetween, said punch-inportions being adhesively secured together so that when pushed inwardlythe two topmost punch-in portions will completely separate from therespective flaps with which they are associated and hinge together withthe partially separated lowermost punch-in portion about said hingeline.

5. A pouring carton including, a box member formed of paperboardmaterial, said box member having two relatively wide side wall panelsand two relatively narrow side wall panels positioned between said wideside wall panels, a

tuck-in flap extending from each end of said,

narrow side wall panels, an end closure flap extending from each end ofsaid wide side wall panels, the adjacent end closure flaps andtuckadjacent wide side wall panels, and a one-piece wrapper applied tosaid box member, said wrapper having end Sections foldable over said endclosure, certain of the end sections of said wrapper being arrangedinoverlapped relationship,

one of theend sections or said wrapper having punch-in indicia thereonwhich will register with any of said punch-in areas in'said box memberwhen said wrapper is applied thereto, said wrapper being unbroken at.the corners of the box and of single ply thickness where it overllesthe adjacent punch-in portion.

6. A pouring carton including, a box member formed of paperboardmaterial, said box member having two relatively wide side wall panelsand two relatively narrow side wall panels positioned between said wide.side wall panels, a tuckin flap extending inwardly from one end of eachof said narrow side wall panels, one of said tuckin flaps having agenerally rectangular punch-in portion defined by spaced out. linesextending along three sides of said portion, an end closure flapextending from one of said side wall panels superimposed over saidtuck-in flap, said end closure flap having a generally rectangular--shaped punch-in portion defined by spaced cuts presenting unbrokenmaterial therebetween, an end closure flap extending from said otherside wall panel superimposed over the end closure flap. first named, theend closure flap extending from 36 said other side wall panel having agenerally circular punch-in portion defined by spacedcuts leavingunbroken material therebetween, said punch-in portions being adhesivelysecured together and arranged in generally aligned rela- 40 tionship,and a paper wra l er enclosing said box member, said wrapper beingunbroken at the corners of the box and 01' single-ply thickness where itoverlies said circular punch-in portion.

'7. A pouring carton including, a box member formed of paperboardmaterial including four side wall panels and an end closure formed byoverlapping end closure flaps extending from said side wall panels,certain of said flaps having a punch-in portion defined by a line of,weakness,

said punch-in portions being arranged in substantially alignedrelationsl'iip which when punched in give access to the contents of thebox member, and an uncut wrapper of generally rectangular formsurrounding said side wall panels,

5 said wrapper having four opposed end sections folded over and securedto said end closure so as to define a generally triangular-shapedwrapped area of single-ply thicknessextending over said topmost punch-inportion so that when inward pressure is exerted on saidwrapper at apoint over said topmost punch-in portion said singleply area of thewrapper will be ruptured along a line substantially conforming to theline of weakness defining said topmost punch-in portion, 95 whereby thepouring opening defined by the topmost punch-in portion will not beoverlapped or obstructed by surrounding portions of the wrapper.

8. A pouring carton for granular material ineluding, a box member formedof paperboard -material having two relatively ,wide side wall panels andtwo intermediate relatively narrow side wall panels, a tuck-in flapextending inwardly from one of said narrow-side wall panels, saidtuck-in flap having a punch-in portion, end 010- I sure flaps extendingfrom said wide side wall panels arranged in superimposed overlappingrelationshipand each having a punch-in portion, said punch-in portionsbeing arranged in substantially aligned relationship which when punchedin give access to the contents of the box member, and an uncut wrapperof generally rectangular form enclosing said side wall panels, saidwrapper having opposed end sections folded over and secured to said endclosure, the end sections extending from said wide side wall panelsbeing folded so that the extremities thereof extend diagonally acrosssaid end closure so that the end section superimposed over said topmostpouring opening-defining punch-in portion presents a generallytriangular area of single thickness sheet material, and indiciaimprinted on the triangular area only defining the position of theunder-lying punch-in portion, the topmost punch-in portion having itsarea substantially confined within the triangular area carrying saidindicia so that when inward pressure on said indicia imprinted portionis applied to efiect rupture of the wrapper and punch-in portions, saidindicia imprinted portion of the wrapper will be ruptured along a linesubstantially conforming to the lineof weakness defining the topmostpunchinportion whereby the pouring opening defined by the topmostpunch-in portion will not be overlapped or obstructed by surroundingportions of the wrapper.

9. A siftproof pouring carton for granular material including, a boxmember formed of paperboard material having four side wall panels,overlapping end closure flaps connected to said side wall panels at eachend thereof providing end closures, certain of said flaps having a punchin portion defined by a line of weakness, said punch-in portions beingarranged in aligned superimposed relationship, and an uncut wrapper ofgenerally rectangular form enclosing said side wall panels, said wrapperhaving connected. end sections at each end thereof folded over theadjacent end closure, two ofsaid end sections being positioned inopposed relationship having diagonally extending extremities leavinguncovered a triangular area of the intermediate end section of thewrapper which extends over said punch-in portions, and indicia imprintedon the triangular area defining the position of the underlying punch-inportions, the topmost punch-in portion having its areasubstantially'confined within the single-ply triangular area of the'wrapper carrying said indicia so that when inward pressure on saidindicia imprinted portion of the wrapper is applied to effect rupture ofthe wrapper and inward collapse of said punch-in portions, said indiciaimprinted portion of the wrapper will rupture along a line substantiallyconforming to the line of weakness defined by the topmost punch-inportion whereby the pouring opening defined by the, topmost punchinportion will not be overlapped or obstructed by surrounding portions ofthe wrapper.

10. A siftprooi pouring carton for granular material including, a boxmember formed of paperboard material having two relatively wide a sidewall panels and two relatively narrow intermediate side wall panels, atuck-in flap extending inwardly from one of said narrow side wallpanels, said tuck-in flap having a punch-in portion, and endclosurefiaps extending from said wide side wall panels arranged insuperimposed overlapping relationship each-having a punch-in portionaligned with the punch-in portion in said tuckin flap, and an uncutwrapper extending continuously around said side wall panels and providedwith a portion extending beyond said closure flaps, said portion havinguncut end sections ex-.

overlies the punch-in portions so located as to define the position ofthe underlying punch-in portions, the topmost punch-in portion havingits area substantially confined within said single-ply end section ofthe wrapper so that when inward pressure on said indicia imprinted areaof the wrapper is applied to effect rupture of the wrapper and inwardcollapse of said punch-in portion, said indicia imprinted portion of thewrapper will be ruptured along a line substantially 10 conforming to theline of weakness defining the topmost punch-in portion whereby thepouring opening defined by the topmost punch-in portion will not beoverlapped or obstructed by surrounding portions of the wrapper.

EUSTACE C. MEEK.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION, Patent No. 2,162,652. I June 15, 1959.

EUSTACE c.- MEEK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,first column, lines L l, h2, I 5 and hi strike out the sentence "Theflaps extending from the relatively broad side walls maybe substantiallyequal in area to the end area of the carton,"; page 5, second column,line 17, for "form" read from; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Officeo Signed and sealed this 19th dayof September, A. D, 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

